In a single week, Three Skies University underwent a shift as dramatic as the sun-moon cycle.
April and Melvin were the university's belles. The other females were irritated because they were practically ignored.
There was now someone named Mia. She was even referred to as the Moon Goddess. What exactly did Goddess mean? An unrivaled beauty.
She had only been spotted by a few people before supposedly disappearing. Even the Aloof Sky Child couldn't track her down.
This added to her mystique. Others' first impressions of her were of simplicity. She was only recognized for her archery skills.
Michael, Gene, and Eclaire were among those in attendance. They were aware of Mia, the "Moon Goddess." There were also rumors about the "Moonlit Archer."
"Isn't Mia the third belle that you mentioned? It sounds like her fame eclipses that of April," Eclaire commented to Gene.
"It could be her. This brash idiot over here is already lusting towards a greater beauty," Gene waved his hands, shrugging.
"Don't talk about things you know nothing about," Michael said with an ugly face.
"Too bad you're not match for the Aloof Sky Kid," Gene refuted.
"Is he that special? Just a Mega Elite right? My family is already comparable to one. I just have to bring it out and he'll step down," Michael exposed his plan.
"You rely on technology to mimic the abilities of an Enchanted. He relies on technology to amplify his abilities as an Enchanted. There are even rumors that he double bonded his abilities. Furthermore, he has the power of the sky behind him. I just don't see you winning," Gene clarified.
"So? Technology always improves. It can also be bought," Michael smiled.
"What about April then?" Gene asked.
"If she improves, she'll naturally win my heart back," Michael explained.
'What makes you think they're interested in you to begin with? You have nothing that makes you special. Just a hard little brother, lust in your eyes, sweet words with no substance, and money that you can't even justify. Even if I want to chase after a beautiful girl, I'll work on self-improvement first,' Gene thought.
"Good luck to you then. Tell us how it works out. I want to see if I can find her and get her autograph. You coming Eclaire?" Gene asked.
"Yeah," Eclaire nodded as the duo left, leaving Michael alone.
——|——|—|—|——|——
The ground was split in half beneath a strong spatial turbulence. Boiling lava splattered across black, orange, and red hellbricks. Powerful regenerative abilities temporarily resisted the tide. The bottom sank quicker than the structure could be erected. When rockmites ran around, ghastly clouds shrouded the land in fog. When lifeless builders pounded out a structure, hardened shards broke off.
(Click)
(Click)
An elderly man hung on wind currents coming from his sleeves. The tip of a gun could be seen upon a closer look. Another elder was nearby with a pair of shotguns behind his back.
(Click)
(Click)
A never-ending dirt mound grew beneath his feet. No level surface on top of the intense heat meant it wasn't very pleasant. You probably wouldn't know about it unless you asked him.
Close by, a spiral of flames generated enormous counterforce. The intensity of the contrast rose with time. Standing in the middle was a middle-aged female with a meager smile on her face.
Standing on one edge of the *pit* was a crowd. There were mostly adults, but still a lot of kids. The brats stared into the *hole* with serious expressions. They all knew what today was.
"Young ones. Today is the beginning of a wonderful feast. I'm Cassia, and I'll be overseeing today's schedule," the middle-aged female proclaimed.
Cassia brought her hands together as if she was scooping water. The builders, man-made constructs, folded into the lava even as the illusion of a prism replaced part of it, even the hellbrick. Only the ghastly clouds lingered.
"The Forefather was extremely powerful, creating this world with his own hands. If you want to know more, you'll have to survive his trials to earn an invitation to the feast. The council looks forward to the feast. It has been a while since we resumed this tradition. Make us proud. We pray someone finds it, eventually," Cassia explained in a heavy mood.
(BOOM)
One kid was abruptly pushed into the pit by their father.
"Ahhhh!"
(BOOM)
(BOOM)
Even more kids were caught off guard as the same happened to them.
(Bzt)
(Crackle)
(Whoosh)
The message was clear as many children took the initiative to bring out their guns, unleashing their magazines as they made their descent into the prism.
(WAZIIIB)
(HEERBUUU)
"Good, good. A couple of you have reached OverCharge!" Cassia said rather hopefully.
Flames, tidal waves, slabs of earth, a hurricane, and lightning rushed into the prism without hesitation, eyes locking onto a distant illusion.
Within that crowd was Lily Lightning, charging as fast as lightning. She focused really hard as she met resistance from a barrier. She was being repelled by the natural forces of the world.
Willing the Uzis into her hand, she pressed down on the trigger a little. The lightning strike pierced through a huge portion of the barrier.
She then released the trigger, only to press it down rapidly and hold it. The lightning strike slipped into the prism, vanishing completely.
The other OverCharged came to a standstill briefly before mimicking her. After some struggle, they were able to push in. The others were pushed in by an overwhelming force. They suffered much as the barrier engulfed and devoured them.
After all the children entered, Cassia looked up and sighed. She focused, looking beyond the horizon.
"3 days. This unprecedented cycle will only linger for 3 days. If they can't find an invitation with that period, the calamity from the last Golden Era will annihilate everything," Cassia said out loud to anyone that was listening.
"5 Primed Exotics are not enough to deal with it, correct?"
"If you're asking if the council can deal with it, we can stave it off," Cassia revealed.
"Do you think we'll attend the feast this time?"
"I can't tell you that. That's a decision solely dependent on their ability," Cassia said.
"You said this was only the prelude to the feast, right?"
"You can say it's basically a journey of sorts," Cassia explained.
"You've been to the feast before. Why is it so important?"
"I supposed I can provide some vague details," Cassia muttered reluctantly.
[A Short While Later]
"What??! Why can't we just find another way to open the illusory world?"
"Why wait on every generation then?"
"Originally, that was possible. The space was very vibrant. These days, it takes all our efforts to stabilize it when it opens. We need an overbearing bloodline evolution for expansion and reinforcement, maybe open it on our own accord," Cassia revealed.
"Is the feast needed for that, or is that opportunity available inside the illusory world?"
"That's something only the inhabitants would know," Cassia explained.
"Why should we depend on some process we know nothing about?"
"I'm risking my child's life on very low faith. They're very injured even before they went in"
"The illusory world was passed down through the generations by the Forefather. It's the reason he was able to protect us for as long as he did. If we can't trust the Forefather, who might we trust?" Cassia asked.
"So my child is basically a sacrificial pawn?"
"All of us are pointless sacrifices if the calamity overtakes us," Cassia muttered solemnly.
——|——|—|—|——|——
Lily Lightning saw a dove fly past her eyes. It was red, blue, and green. Then it turned black and white. Then it was just white. It saw her. It turned. It flew toward her.
(Coo)
(Coo)
Lily looked down and saw that the lightning was gone. She looked around, sensing something, and saw many other Exotics who had the same electrifying bloodline as her.
Some began to fall, but most stayed in the air.
"Be confident in yourself. If you have self-doubt, you'll only die"
A few of them understood and began to stabilize themselves. Many others continued panicking. Some fell down to god knows where, while others were lent a helping end.